11 ATTACHMENT 04 - Laserfiche WebLink

which indicates that all three trees are healthy and unlikely to fall over, although each had some defects in structure. Tree #62 (the middle tree) has had several large branch failures over the years and has an asymmetric form; the arborist recommended removal of this tree. The City's Landscape Architect agreed with the arborist's findings and approved the removal of the tree. Exhibit N is the memo prepared by the City's Landscape Architect further explaining the analysis in the tree report and justification for approving the tree's removal. The property owner has not yet removed Tree #62. Tree Preservation/Mitiqation In the past, the Planning Commission and/or City Council have attempted to discourage tree loss in developments by adding an extra requirement to contribute the value of removed trees to the City's Urban Forestry Fund. The Urban Forestry Fund is used to plant new trees in the City as well as conservation, promotion, and public education in regard to Pleasanton's street trees, park trees, and trees on private property. The arborist has valued the eight trees to be removed at $56,850, which excludes the value of the mulberry tree along Stanley Boulevard that will be removed by the City for the Stanley Boulevard reconstruction project. Staff normally tries to mitigate tree removal by requiring additional trees be planted on the site beyond what is normally required in production home developments (i.e., street trees and other trees installed in the front yards). In some developments, tree mitigation is required at a 6:1 ratio for each tree removed with a certain percentage of those trees being box-sized. Given the small size of the lots, staff does not believe there is adequate room to install additional trees, particularly if a 6:1 ratio is used for the 18 trees to be removed. Therefore, at the prior hearings, staff had recommended that the applicant pay the appraised value of the trees to be removed into the City's Urban Forestry Fund. Staff recommends that the value of Tree #62 ($16,000) should not be included since the City's Landscape Architect already approved the removal of this tree,. The value of the trees to be removed is $40,850 if Tree #62 is excluded. The applicant has indicated that he may install landscaping for all yard areas around the homes. Should the applicant decide to install landscaping for all yard areas, staff would recommend the applicant receive credit for the cost of the trees installed in the rear and side yard areas beyond that currently shown on the development plan. Open Space Landscaping The preliminary landscape plan proposes one flowering accent tree and six small accent trees on the east side of the open space area by the detached garage with Mr. Walterson's photovoltaic panels. The plant palette specifies 10 types of trees and 21 types of shrubs for the entire development, but does not designate the types of trees and shrubs for the common area. The landscape plan does state that the tree height for the flowering accent tree on the southeast corner of the open space area should, "...remain clear of neighboring solar sunlight" shown on the east side of the common open space area. Staff has included a condition that the tree and shrub species selected for the open space area shall not block Mr. Walterson's photovoltaic panels. Item 6.a., PUD-82 Page 20 of 22 July 13, 2011